Schools
Local Teen Inventor's Discovery Featured on 60 Minutes
Jack Andraka's invention of a test to detect pancreatic cancer easier and cheaper has garnered him national attention.
A North County High School teen was featured in a segment on 60 minutes Sunday for inventing a test that can detect early signs of pancreatic cancer.
Jack Andraka, 16, of Crownsville, crafted a paper-based sensor that can help more accurately and efficiently detect pancreatic cancer at a cost of only 5 cents.Â
The revolutionary invention won him first place in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and has garnered national attention.
In an interview with Glen Burnie Patch in 2012, Andraka said he first became interested in cancer research after a close family friend died from pancreatic cancer. His project almost didn't get off the ground.
An epiphany came to Andraka as he was reading a scientific journal while half-listening to his biology teacher in class discussing antibodies. He said his teacher confiscated the journal after catching him reading it in class.
The 60 Minutes segment, titled "Boy Wonder: Jack Andraka,"Â is available to view online at YouTube.com.
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